Fundraiser Honors Fallen Officer 15 Years After His Death

(ABC 6 News) -- So far this year, 69 police officers have died in the line of duty. Most recently in Minnesota , Officer Scott Patrick of Mendota Heights was shot and killed during a traffic stop.

Monday, one local family honored their loved one, a police officer who died on the job 15 years ago this week.

"He died doing what he loved most,” said Joyce Meyer, the mother of Jason.

Grand Meadow Police Officer Jason Meyer died at just 28 years old. He was killed after losing control of his squad car while responding to a call.

"It's been hard, it's been very hard,” said Joyce, who will always be proud of what her son stood for. "We right away decided we had to do something to keep his memory alive,” she said.

Each year, two RCTC law enforcement students receive a college scholarship in Officer Meyer’s name. A fundraiser was held Monday for those scholarships at Pizza Ranch in Stewartville.

"When he went into law enforcement I knew why he was going into it, but I also felt like he was safe in a small community, that there wouldn't be all the shootings and riots or anything like that, but I was wrong,” said Joyce.

Joyce is like too many parents across the county. In just a year, more than 100 lives of law enforcement authorities are gone, lost in the line of duty.

"One is always too many. Unfortunately in law enforcement we understand that risks that are there and we're willing to take that, but we do everything we possibly can to prevent it,” said Captain Kevin Torgerson, of the Law Enforcement Memorial Association.

"People don't understand why they are out there and what they're doing, they're leaving at home and what they might leave at home forever,” said Joyce.